Frame structure for a window



Aug. 2, 1955 G. D. PETERSON FRAME STRUCTURE FOR A WINDOW Original Filed Jan. 28, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 lo 28 2s INVENTOR.

64-2540 0. fiz'raesa/v TTOR/VEY Aug. 2, 1955 G. D. PETERSON FRAME STRUCTURE FOR A WINDOW 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 600%0 A fizrzesa/v Original Filed Jan. 28, 1948 ATTORNEY Aug. 2, 1955 G. D. PETERSON FRAME STRUCTURE FOR A WINDOW Original Filed Jan. 28, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. GER/7.40 0. zrz/asa/v United States Patent a FRAME STRUCTURE FOR A WINDOW Gerald D. Peterson, Detroit, Mich.

Original application January 28, 1948, Serial No. 4,794, now Patent No. 2,663,917, dated December 29, 1953. Divided and this application February 18, 1953, Serial I No. 346,770 :I

Claims. (Cl. 189-75) This invention relates to frames for windows, and particularly to a frame of the all-metal type which may be joined together by mullions which extend the frames to cover any desired length of opening and is a division of Serial No. 4,794, filed January 28, 1948, now Patent Number 2,663,917 issued December 29, 1953.

It has been the practice heretofore in the art to employ two or more windows to cover an elongated opening in a building and provide a mullion as a separate element to join the windows together.

The present invention substitutes for the adjacent sides of the frame, strips which may be joined together by an expansion joint sothat the window frames become a unit extension of each other when filling the window opening. The cost of the plurality of frames when so joined together is less than the two complete window frames joined by the separate mullion. Further, the mullion employed for joining the present frames is not much larger than the frame section itself, so that the mullion disposed between the frame is not as noticeable as the cumbersome mullion separating the two complete window frames.

As described hereinafter and as disclosed in the drawings, the window frame is comprised of sections including a header, a sill, and a pair of jambs. Two types of interchangeable jamb sections are provided so that a single frame can be assembled to be used either by itself or in conjunction with one or more additional frames in a row, as mentioned above. A frame meeting rail is provided for use as desired. A dual-purpose, inner header and sill section is provided for mounting upon opposing sides of said header and sill sections. The above-mentioned sections of said frame, said meeting rail and a horizontal muntin can-be assembled in various combinations to support one or more panes of glass or other closure panels adjacent the exterior surfaces of said frame. This assembly will also provide for simultaneous mounting of a horizontally slidable sash within said frame adjacent to the interior surfaces thereof.

The sections of the frame are so formed as to interlock with each other, and screws are provided for joining the frame sections at the corners so that the entire frame may be shipped in knocked-down condition, occupying very little space. Sealing elements are employed on the window frame and on the sliding sash so as to completely seal the sliding window in closed position. Glazing putty may be employed for retaining the panes in position in the frame or spring strips may be utilized for holding the window pane within the frame. The frame is so constructed as to support a single thickness of glass, or two thicknesses of glass or a Thermopane type window glass may be mounted directly into the frame. A screen or a storm window may be mounted in the opening closed by the sliding window so that the opening may be closed by a screen in summer or by a storm window in the winter.

Anchors are provided which dovetail into the different sections of the window frame by which the frame is 'ice .2 secured in the opening when the anchors are nailed to the building. The adjoining sections of the frame are so formed that the mullion resulting holds the two frame sections together in movable relation to adjust themselves for expansion and contraction of the frames.

Accordingly, the main objects of the invention are: to provide a window made of sections of a metal which are securable together to form the header, sill and jamb sections which are releasably secured together at the corners by screws; to provide jambs on a window frame which are interconnectable to form a mullion which provides an expansion joint between the separate, adjoining window frames; to provide anchors for a window frame which are releasably locked thereto for supporting the frame in the opening of a building; to provide spring strips for retaining one or a pair of window panes in the window openings of the frame; to provide a sill ventilating section which may be applied to the opening in the frame, covered by the movable sash, on which a storm window may rest in the wintertime; to provide a frame structure comprised of sections which can be assembled in a variety of combinations to fit a variety of needs and, in general, to provide a frame for a window which is simple in construction, economical of manufacture and which may be mounted in extension of each other to fill any desired opening.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will be specifically pointed out or will become apparent when referring, for a better understanding of the invention, to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view from the exterior of two window frames in mullion arrangement embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line II-II thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line III-III thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line IV--IV thereof;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 within the circle 5 thereof when the sash is moved to completely open position;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, as viewed within the circle 6 thereof;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken on the line VII-VII thereof;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged exploded view of the header, muntin, sill and jamb sections of the window frame illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a head and sill and jamb element of the sash which slides within the window frame, with parts broken away, and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a sill ventilator employed in the frame opening.

Referring to Fig. l, a window assembly of the present invention is illustrated, wherein a pair of frames is disposed in an opening, forming a mullion therebetween. Each frame comprises a header section 10, a sill section 11, jamb sections 12 and a mullion jamb section 13. Within each frame, fixed window panels 14 are supported in offset relation with window sash assemblies 15 which may slide to the left or right in overlapping relation to the fixed panes 14, thereby having the window assemblies 15 move to open position.

It is to be understood that any number of the individual windows may be secured to each other to fill any length of opening by utilizing the mullion jamb sections 13 along the mating edges of each window frame. The

window sections 15, which slide horizontally, are supported on a track projecting upwardly from the window sill section 11 and engaged by rollers on the lower edge of the sections to assure ease of movement of the sections.

Referring to Fig. 3, the header section embodies a header bar having a web 17 having a downwardly extending portion 18 and an inwardly sloping web portion 19. A dovetailed recess 21 is located at the junction between the web 17 and portion 18. A downwardly projecting flange 22 is provided on the opposite end of the web from the portion 18, and a similar downwardly directed flange 23 extends from the end of the web 19. A dovetailed recess 24 is provided on the outer surface of the web '17 adjacent to the dovetailed slot 21. This latter dovetail 24 is employed to receive and be secured by a head anchor 25 which is nailed or otherwise secured to the building structure 26. A dual-purpose inner header and Sin section 27 is joined to the web 17 of the header section 10 through the engagement of the dovetail 28 thereof in the dovetailed slot 21 of the portion 18. The

inner header and sill section is of U shape having an outer Web 29 and inner web 31 on the end of which the dovetail 28 mentioned above is provided. The webs 2'9 and 31 are joined by a base web 32 having downwardly presented spaced slots 33 and 34 therein. The web 29 extends downwardly at 35 below the base web 32.

The side jamb sections 12 of the frame (Figure 4) embody a channel section 36 having a laterally extending web 37 which is flanged outwardly on the end at 38. A ridge 39 on the outer surface of the web 37 has an outwardly facing slot '41. The web 37 is disposed laterally of a side web 42 of the channel element 36 having joined thereto the base web 43 of channel portion which is provided with a pair of spaced slots 44 and 45 WhlCh are aligned with the slots 33 and 34, respectively, of the inner header and sill section 27. An outer web 46 ext'e'nds from the base web 43 of the channel portion parallel to the web 42 and is provided with an offset portion 47 having a slot 48 therein aligned with the slot 41 in 'the ridge 39 in the outer surface of the web 37. A flange 49 extends from the offset portion 47 of the web 46. A jamb anchor 51 has a web portion 52 engaged in the slots "41 and '49 from which a web 53 extends in a position to be secured to the frame elements of the building. By reversing the jamb section of the frame element 12 end for end, it may be applied to either the right or lefthand side of the window frame.

The web 46 is extended at 54 below the base Web '43 and this web is'notched out at the top, as at 55, to receive the web 29 (Figure 8) and extending flange 35 of the inner header and sill section 27. This forms the top corners of the frame which are held together by a pair of screws extending through apertures 56 and are threaded into a pair of apertures 57 in the web*42 of the channel portion 36 of the jamb section.

The sill section 11 comprises a sill bar having a web 58 (Figures 2 and 3) having on the end a downwardly extending flange 59 and inwardly therefrom a flange 61. A portion 62 extends upwardly from the web 58 and has an inwardly extending web 63 which slopes upwardly and which is provided with a track '64 and an upwardly extending lip 65 at the inner end. This lip collects the condensation from the windows and permits it to flow down the slope of the web 63 outwardly of the frame. The trackway has a slotted portion 66 therein which permits apertures to be drilled therethrough to permit drainage, and any burrs that may be left in the hole need not be removed because of their location within the slot. The portion 62 of the section is provided with a pair of dovetailed slots 67 and'68 and a ridge 69 forms a dovetailed slot 71. An anchoring element 25 engages the dovetailed slot 71 to anchor the sill in position in the building opening. A similar anchoring element 25 may also be utilized for engaging in the dovetailed slot '68 for A. anchoring the sill to the building structure. The inner header and sill section 27 is applied to the flange 58 of the sill bar through the engagement of the dovetail 28 in the dovetailed slot 67. The bottom portion of the inner header and sill section 27 is employed only across the fixed window assembly 14 at the sill and the end of the section mates in a notch 55 where it abuts the jamb section 12. A pair of screws extends through the apertures 56 in the upwardly directed portion 62 of the section and is threaded into apertures 57 in the web 42 of the jamb of the section 12 for securing the sill section 2&0 the jamb section at the corner to which the sill section 27 extends.

The opposite end of the section 27 at the corner of the sill abuts against a frame meeting rail 72 (Figures 4 and 7), the lower end of which has a laterally extending flange 73 cut away to provide a notch for receiving the end of the section 27. As illustrated in Fig. 3, similar screws are utilized for extending through apertures in the upwardly extending portion 62 on the sill section 11 and secured in threaded apertures on the inner face of the frame meeting rail 72. Spaced webs 74 of the section 72 have outwardly directed spaced slots 75 and 76 in alignment with the slots 33 and 34 in the inner header and sill section 27 and with the slots 44 and 45 in the jamb section 12. The section 72 abuts against the web 17 of the header section 10 and is secured in position by screws extending through apertures in portion 18 into threaded apertures provided in the inner web '77 of the section. A large dovetailed groove 78 is provided in the face of the web 77 for receiving a Weatherstrip 79 which is retained in position thereby. Certain of the channel sections 36 of the jamb section 12 may be'pro'vided with dovetailed grooves 40 for receiving a Weatherstrip 79 which is retained in position thereby to abut the weatherstrip '94 when the movable sash is in closed position.

The ends of the frame jamb section 12 which engage the sill section 11 at the point adjacent to the area of the sliding window when closed, at which the sill section 27 is not utilized, are secured together by screws extending through apertures 56 in the upwardly extending portion 62 into the threaded apertures 57 in the web 42 of the jamb section. It will be noted in this arrangement that the notch 55 is omitted because of the absence of the sill section 27 at this point.

The sliding window 15 (Figures 4 and 9) has a sliding sash 81 which embodies two like stiles 82, a top rail 83 and a bottom rail 84. The stiles are of tubular form having outer side faces 85, inner webs 86, a glass supporting Web 87 and an outer web 88. The glass *supporting web '87 is provided with inwardly directed slots '89 and 91 which are spaced from each'other, while the web 88 has anextending flange 92 which projects beyond the web '87. The outer surface of the web 88 is provided with a dovetailed groove 93 for supporting and securely holding a sealing strip 94. The top rail 83 of the movable sash has a central web 95 with upwa'r'dly directed flanges 96 at eachend, the outer surface of which is provided with projections containing dovetailed grooves 97 for receiving the'weatherstrip 94. A downwardly projecting flange 98 is provided in alignment with the flange 96 on the front face of the top rail.

The bottom rail '84 comprises a central web 99 having downwardly projecting wall portions 101 containing slots 102 for reducing the weight of the section. Anupwardly extending flange 103 is provided at the'fr'ont of the 'bottom rail, aligned with the flange 98 ofthe top rail-83am flange 92 of the stiles 82. The flange 92 is cut away onfthe sash stiles 82 to provide notches'55 for receiving theends of the top rail'and bottoin rail to which they are secured by screws 104 extending through apertures 105' in "the web of the stile'a'nd threaded into apertures 106 in the webs and 99 of the rails 83 and 84, respectively. in this manner the sash is securely "held together at the four corners.

Rollers 107 have their stub shafts 108 extending through apertures in the webs 86 and 88 so as to be in alignment with the track 64 of the sill section 11. The screws 104 are disposed on each side of the roller to assist in maintaining the roller in alignment with the track.

A window pane 111 is mounted against the flange 73 of the frame meeting rail 72, the flange on the inner header and sill section 27 and the flange 54 on the jamb section 12. The flanges above named are coplanar and directly receive the glass. The glass is forced against putty or other sealing material placed on the flanges. Four glazing strips 112 form a coplanar retaining flange around the opening when inserted in the aligned slots in the inner header and sill section, in the frame meeting rail 72 and in the jamb section 12. Thereafter, four spring elements 113 are slipped in between the glass 111 and the strips 112 to urge the glass outwardly against the coplanar flanges. Spring tension in the strips retains the strips and glass in position. The window glass 1114 is applied in the same manner to the window sash 15, the pane first being placed against the flange 92 of the stiles and flanges 98 and 103 on the top and bottom rails 83 and 84. Thereafter, glazing strips 112 are placed in one set of slots to be coplanar with the flanges above mentioned against which the glass is placed, after which four of the spring strips 113 are added between the flanges 112 and the window glass 114 to hold the glass in position.

When it is desired to join two windows together, they are assembled in the same manner, with the exception that a frame mullion jamb 115 (Figure 4) replaces the standard frame jamb 12 in one of the windows. This mullion jamb has a channel section 116 having an outer web 117 and an inner web 118 joined by a base web 119 containing spaced slots 121. The web 117 at the end has an inwardly extending flange 122 and also an offset projecting flange 123. The web 118 has a web 124 extending from the end inwardly at right angles therefrom, which .has on its inner end an enlarged portion 125 provided with a slot 126 for receiving a strip which overlaps the web 37 of the frame jamb section 12. The flanges 122 and 123 mate with the flange 49 and web 46 of the frame jamb section 12 and prevent the section 116 from moving inwardly, while the engagement of the portion 127 of the enlarged portion 125 of the mullion section 13 prevents the section from moving outwardly. A leaf spring 128 is disposed between the web 124 and the flange 38 on the section 12 to urge the webs 124 and 37 away from each other but permitting them to move toward each other in case the metal of the frames expands. When the metal contracts, the spring maintains the engagement of the web 37 with the strip 135.

While it is within the purview of this invention to use window panes which extend from the top to the bottom of the frame and sash, muntins can be employed therebetween for using glass panes of shorter height. A section of the muntin is illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein the muntin is the shape of an H having a central web 130 and two parallel webs 131 disposed at right angles thereto and in T relation therewith. This provides an upwardly and downwardly presented channel on either side of the web 130 for the reception of the bottom of the top pane of glass and the top of the bottom of glass. It will be noted that on the outside of the window the flange 131 is cut away at the end at 132 for overlapping the projecting flange 92 on the sash stile 85. The muntin is secured in position by a screw projecting through the flanges 92 into the web 131?, the heads of the screws being visible on the outside of the frame, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Similarly, the muntin is secured to the jamb 12 and the frame meeting rail 72 by having the cutaway end portions 132 overlap the flange 54 on the jamb l2 and the flange 73 on the frame meeting rail 72. Screws extend through the flanges 54 and 73 into the web 130 for securing the muntin to the window frame for supporting the fixed window panes.

It will be noted when examining the window frame structure and the movable sash structure that the adjacent faces which support the window panes 1 11 and 114 have an additional set of slots 89, 76, etc. parallel to but spaced from the slots in which the glazing strips 112 are employed for securing the panes in the frame, as illustrated. If Thermopane glass is to be employed embodying a pair of spaced window panes, these are mounted in the window opening and cover the slots now employed for holding a single pane. The supporting glazing strips are applied to the innermost set of slots and putty alone is employed for holding the Thermopane glass in position.

It is also within lhC purview of the present invention to apply a pane of glass against the strips 112 and employ another set of glazing strips 112 in the innermost slots and utilize additional glazing springs 113 for retaining the second glass against the glazing strips 112 to provide double thicknesses of glass in the openings. The window glass could be of the removable type having a frame (Figure 4) which can be set in the opening against the strips 112 and retained in position through the application of another set of strips 112 in the innermost slots. in the summer months these latter strips and window may be removed and stored.

It will be noted that the storm window may be applied directly to the outside flanges 54 and 73 of the frame in the window opening as the distance between the flange 73 and slot 75 of the frame meeting rail 72 is exactly the same as the distance between the face of the strip 112 and the slot 89 of the window sash stile. This is also true of the distance between the face of the strip 112 and the slot :35 of the frame jamb section 12. The same treatment may be applied to the fixed window, to the movable sash, and also to the window opening through the frame.

When a storm window is placed in the frame, a sill ventilator is preferably employed, as illustrated in Fig. 10, having an outer flange 133. A step 139 is provided at the top for receiving the bottom of the storm window, the storm window being held in position at the sides and top. An inwardly extending flange from the step has a downwardly projecting web 1 11 terminating in an inwardly directed flange 142 and a vertical web 143 which extends on each side of the flange 142. Similarly, a downwardly extending flange 144 is provided coplanar with the flange 143. Suitable apertures are provided in the outer flange 138 and web 1-41, the latter being covered by a slide 145 which may be shifted laterally by the handle 146 to uncover one or a plurality of the apertures as may be desired. By the use of this ventilator, the window pane employed in the fixed window openings may also be employed in the opening of the movable sash since the step 139 is aligned with the base web 32 of the inner sill section 27. It is to be understood that in place of the storm window a screen may be mounted in the same manner within the opening of the movable sash.

Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the lefthand and righthand windows which go to make up the pair of windows joined by the mullion have the movable sash reversed, that is to say, the sash is on the left-hand side of the left-hand window and on the right-hand side of the right-hand window of the pair as viewed in the figure from the outside of the building. It should be understood that the movable sash 15 may be disposed on left-hand or right-hand side of both of the windows, or both of the sashes could be placed adjacent to each other, the construction of the present window readily lending itself to such adaptation.

What is claimed is:

l. in an all-metal window frame for supporting closure panels the combination comprising: a header section and a sill section having opposed surfaces and co-planar surfaces; a pair of inner sections having identical cross-sections and rigidly but releasably secured respectively to said opposing surfaces, said inner sections each having opposed surfaces with a flange extending therefrom along one edge thereof, and said inner sections each having a pair of parallel grooves in said opposed surfaces, the distance between said grooves being substantially equal to the distance between said flange and the adjacent groove to which said flange 'is parallel; a pair of jambs having opposed surfaces and co-planar surfaces, said last-named co-planar surfaces being snugly engageable near their ends with the co-planar surfacesof the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections, said jamb opposed surfaces each having a flange and grooves identical and co-planar with those on said inner sections; and screws rigidly and releasably securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

2. In an all-metal window frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: a header section and a sill section having parallel opposed surfaces and end surfaces perpendicular thereto; a pair of inner header and sill sections having identical, U-shaped cross-sections and rigidly but releasably secured respectively to said opposing surfaces of said header and sill sections, said inner sections each having parallel opposed surfaces with end surfaces perpendicular thereto and with a flange normal thereto along one edge thereof, said flanges be ing co-planar, and said inner sections each having a pair of parallel grooves in said opposed surfaces, the distance'between said grooves being the same as the distance between said flange and the adjacent groove 1 with which said flange is parallel; a pair of jambs having parallel opposed side surfaces snugly engageable adjacent their ends with the corresponding end surfaces of said sill section, said header section and said inner sections, said jamb side surfaces each having a flange and grooves, identical with those on said inner sections,

said jamb flanges being relieved adjacent the ends of I said sections and being co-planar with said inner section flanges; a pair of screws rigidly and releasably securing the ends of each jamb to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections; frame anchors and means on said anchors and the header, sill and jamb sections for removably securing said anchors thereto.

3. In an all-metal window frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sections having opposed surfaces; 21 pair of inner sections having identical opposed surfaces and secured upon said opposed surfaces of said header and sill sections, said inner section opposed surfaces each having a flange extending therefrom along one edge thereof and having a groove spaced from and parallel with said flange; a pair of jambs having opposed surfaces each having a flange and groove identical with those on said inner sec tion surfaces, said second flanges all being co-planar, and said jambs each having a pair of second flanges remote from said surfaces thereof, the flanges of one jamb being snugly and slidably receivable between the second flanges of the other jamb, whereby a plurality of said frames can be slidably interconnected; means for limiting movement of a pair of interconnected jambs toward and away from each other; and means securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

4. In an all-metal window frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sections having opposed surfaces; an inner section secured upon said header opposed surface; a pair of jambs having opposed surfaces, the opposed surfaces of said jambs and said inner section each having a flange extending along one edge thereof, these flanges defining a first plane, and each surface having a groove therein spaced from said flange, said grooves defining a second plane parallel with said first plane; a ventilator section secured upon said sill section surface and having a lengthwise notch therein extending between said first and second planes, said ventilator section having an opening therethrough perpendicular to said planes; means for removably covering said opening; and screws rigidly and releasably securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

5. In an all-metal window frame for supporting'closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sections having opposed surfaces; an inner section secured upon said header opposed surface; a pair of jambs having opposed surfaces, the opposed surfaces of said jambs and said inner section each having a flange extending along one edge thereof, these flanges defining a first plane, and each surfacelhaving a groove therein spaced from said flange, said grooves defining a second plane parallel with said first plane; said jambs each having a pair of flanges remote from said surfaces thereof, the flanges of one jamb being snugly and slidably receivable between the flanges of the other jamb, whereby a plurality of said frames can be slidably interconnected; removable means for limiting movement of a pair of interconnected jambs away from each other, and resilient means for urging said interconnected jambs away from each other; a ventilator section secured upon said sill section surface and having a lengthwise notch therein extending between said first and second planes, said ventilator section having an opening therethrough perpendicular to said planes; means for removably covering said opening; and screws rigidly and releasably securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

6. In an all-metal window frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sections having opposed surfaces; an inner section secured upon said header opposed surface; a pair of jambs having opposed surfaces, the opposed surfaces of said jambs and said inner section each having a first flange extending along one edge thereof, these flanges defining a first plane, and each surface having a groove therein spaced from said flange, said grooves defining a second plane parallel with said first plane; said jambs each having a pair of second flanges remote from said surfaces thereof, the second flanges of one jamb being snugly and slidably receivable between the second flanges of the other jamb, whereby a plurality of said frames can be slidably interconnected; removable means for limiting movement of a pair of interconnected jambs away from each other, and resilient means for urging said interconnected jambs away from each other; a ventilator section secured upon said sill section surface and having a lengthwise notch therein extending between said first and second planes, said ventilator section having an opening therethrough perpendicular to said planes; means for removably cover ing said opening; and screws rigidly and releasably securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

7. In an all metal window frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sections having opposed surfaces, opposed portions of each being recessed; a pair of inner sections having similar cross-sections and secured upon said recessed portions, said inner sections each having opposed surfaces with a flange extending therefrom and a groove provided therein, said flanges lying within a first plane and said grooves defining a second plane parallel with said first plane; a pair of jambs having opposed surfaces and co-planar surfaces snugly engageable near their ends with said header and sill sections, said jamb surfaces each having a flange extending therefrom and lying within said first plane and a groove lying Within said second plane; and means securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said flanges on said inner sections are along corresponding lengthwise edges of their opposing surfaces.

9. In an all metal window frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sec tions having opposed surfaces and co-planar surfaces; a pair of inner sections secured upon said opposed surfaces, said inner sections having similar, opposed surfaces With a flange extending therefrom and a pair of grooves therein, said flanges lying within a first plane and said grooves defining spaced, second and third planes parallel with said first plane; a pair of jambs having opposed surfaces and co-planar surfaces, said last-named coplanar surfaces being snugly engageable near their ends with the co-planar surfaces of said header and sill sections, said jamb opposed surfaces each having a flange extending therefrom and lying within said first plane and a pair of grooves lying within said second and third planes, respectively; and means securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

10. In an all metal window frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: a header section and a sill section having opposed surfaces and coplanar surfaces; a pair of inner sections secured respectively to said opposing surfaces, said inner sections each having opposed surfaces with a flange extending therefrom along one edge thereof, and said inner sections each having a pair of parallel grooves in said opposed surfaces, the distance between said grooves being substantially equal to the distance between said flange and the adjacent groove to which said flange is parallel; a pair of jambs having opposed surfaces and co-planar surfaces, said last-named co-planar surfaces being snugly engageable near their ends with the co-planar surfaces of the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections, said jamb opposed surfaces each having a flange and grooves identical and co-planar with those on said inner sections; and screws rigidly and releasably securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

11. In an all metal window frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: a header section and a sill section having parallel opposed surfaces and end surfaces perpendicular thereto; a pair of inner header and sill sections having identical, U-shaped crosssections and rigidly but releasably secured respectively to said opposing surfaces of said header and sill sections, said inner sections each having parallel opposed surfaces with end surfaces perpendicular thereto and with a flange normal thereto along one edge thereof, said flanges being co-planar, and said inner sections each having a pair of parallel grooves in said opposed surfaces, the distance between said grooves being the same as the distance between said flange and the adjacent groove with which said flange is parallel; a pair of jambs having parallel opposed side surfaces snugly engageable adjacent their ends with the corresponding end surfaces of said sill section, said header section and said inner sections, said jamb side surfaces each having a flange and grooves, identical with those on said inner sections, said jamb flanges being relieved adjacent the ends of said sections and being coplanar with said inner section flanges; a pair of screws rigidly and releasably securing the ends of each jamb to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

12. In an all metal frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sections having opposed surfaces; a pair of inner sections, one of which is secured to the header section and the other of which is secured to the sill section, said inner sections each having opposed surfaces with a flange extending therefrom and a groove provided therein, said flanges lying within a first plane and said grooves defining a second plane parallel with said first plane; a pair of jambs engaging said header and sill sections, said jambs having opposed surfaces, each surface having a flange extending therefrom and lying within said first plane and a groove provided therein lying within said second plane and means securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

13. In an all metal frame for supporting fixed closure panels the combination comprising: a header section having a central web, a downwardly extending flange formed on one end of said web, a portion associated with said web and intermediate its edges being formed with a surface generally parallel to said flange; a header inner section secured to said header and positioned between said flange and said surface; a sill section having a generally upwardly extending surface; a sill inner section secured to said sill and having a portion thereof engaging said upwardly extending surface, said header inner section and said sill inner section having opposed surfaces, said opposed surfaces each having a flange extending therefrom and a groove provided therein, said flanges lying Within a first plane and said grooves defining a second plane parallel with said first plane; a pair of jambs engaging said header and sill sections, said jambs having opposed surfaces, each surface having a flange extending therefrom and lying within said first plane and a groove provided therein lying within said second plane and means securing said jambs to the corresponding ends of said sill and header sections.

14. In an all metal frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sections having opposed surfaces; a pair of inner sections, one of which is secured to the header section and the other of which is secured to the sill section, said inner sections each having opposed surfaces with a flange extending therefrom and a groove provided therein, said flanges lying within a first plane and said grooves defining a second plane parallel with said first plane; a pair of jambs engaging said header and sill sections, said jambs having opposed surfaces, each surface having a flange extending therefrom and lying within said first plane and a groove provided therein lying within said second plane and means securing said jambs in fixed relationship with and abutting the corresponding ends of said sill and header inner sections.

15. In an all metal frame for supporting closure panels, the combination comprising: header and sill sections having opposed surfaces; a pair of inner sections, one of which is secured to the header section and the other of which is secured to the sill section, said inner sections each having opposed surfaces with a flange extending therefrom, said flanges lying within a first plane; a pair of jambs engaging said header and sill sections, said jambs having opposed surfaces, each opposed surface of said jambs having a flange extending therefrom and lying within said first plane, at least three of the members of the group consisting of said inner sections and said pair of jambs having a groove provided in their opposed surface, said grooves lying within a second plane which is parallel to said first plane and means securing said jambs in fixed relationship with and abutting the corresponding ends of said inner sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

